Catalyst for production of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids

Abstract

An alpha , beta -unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid can be prepared in a high yield by catalytic vapor phase oxidation of the corresponding alpha , beta -unsaturated aldehyde in the presence of a catalyst represented by the following formula:

We claim: 
     
       1. A catalyst for production of an α,β-unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid by the vapour phase oxidation of the corresponding α,β-unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde, which consists essentially of an activated catalytic oxide complex of antimony, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten, niobium, copper and oxygen and defined by the following formula:   Sb.sub.a Ni.sub.b Mo.sub.c V.sub.d W.sub.e Nb.sub.f Cu.sub.g O.sub.h     wherein, a = 100, b = 15 - 150, c = 10 - 500, d = 5 - 150, e = 0 - 100, f = 0 - 100, g = 0 - 50 wherein g is not 0, when f = 0 and h ≦ 2950, which is a number determined by the valence requirements of the other elements present respectively, in atomic ratio.   
     
     
       2. A catalyst as set forth in claim 1, in which a = 100, b = 20 - 120, c = 15 - 400, d = 5 - 120, e = 0 - 80, f = 0 - 80, g = 0 - 40 wherein g is not 0 when f = 0, and h ≦ 2410. 
     
     
       3. A catalyst as set forth in claim 1, in which the catalytic composition consists essentially of Sb, Ni, Mo, V, W, and Cu. 
     
     
       4. A catalyst as set forth in claim 1, in which the catalytic composition consists essentially of Sb, Ni, Mo, V, and Nb. 
     
     
       5. A catalyst as set forth in claim 1, in which the catalytic composition consists essentially of Sb, Ni, Mo, V, Nb and Cu. 
     
     
       6. A catalyst as set forth in claim 1, in which the catalytic composition consists essentially of Sb, Ni, Mo, V, W, Nb and Cu. 
     
     
       7. A catalyst as set forth in claim 1 in which, in said activated catalytic oxide complex, the nickel and antimony oxides occur as nickel antimonate.